We study how the brain monitors body
hydration, salt and temperature.
We seek to
define how networks of thermosensitive and osmosensitive neurons work together with clock neurons and astrocytes
to regulate the sensation of thirst,
release of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin), and vascular tone.
Defects in osmoregulation are hallmarks of many clinical conditions,
including dehydration, heart failure and sepsis. Moreover changes in osmoregulation
likely link dietary salt intake to many forms of hypertension.
Some of the things we are investigating: